Madison, Ryan
Ryan Douglas Madison
Office:
Phone: (816) 226-0697
Email: ryandmadison@gmail.com
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION:
Ethics, Ancient Greek Philosophy, Medieval Philosophy, Metaphysics
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION:
Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Mind, Epistemology, Political & Social Philosophy, Logic, Aesthetics
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS:
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Adjunct Instructor, Philosophy (2025-Current) Indiana University East, Adjunct Professor of Philosophy (2019-Current)
Concurrent Assistant Professional Specialist, Department of Philosophy & Program of Liberal Studies, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN (2013-2018)
Myser Fellow, The Center for Ethics and Culture, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN (2012–2013)
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Cardinal Glennon College, St. Louis, MO (2008–2011)
Associate Professor of Philosophy, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL (2002–2008)
ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS:
Associate Director, Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, University of Notre Dame (2013–2017)
Senior Advisor, Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, University of Notre Dame (2013–2018)
Faculty Advisor, Integritas & Sorin Fellows Program, University of Notre Dame (2013– 2017)
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. Philosophy, Loyola University Chicago (May 2008). Specialization in Aristotle. Dissertation (with distinction): “First Philosophy: Being and Contemplation in Aristotle’s Metaphysics.” Director: Dr. Adriaan T. Peperzak.
M.A. Philosophy, Loyola University Chicago (1996–2000). Specialization in Ancient
and Medieval Philosophy. Master’s Thesis: “Plato and Aristotle on the Idea of the Good: Rethinking an Old Opposition.” Director: Dr. Adriaan T. Peperzak.
B.A. Philosophy, St. John’s College, Annapolis MD, (1992–1996). Minor in Classics; Minor in History of Mathematics and Science. Senior Essay: “The Metaphysical Foundations of Ethics in St. Thomas Aquinas and Immanuel Kant.”
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Introduction to Logic (PHL 101), University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Spring 2025- present
Introduction to Ethics (PHIL 120), Indiana University East, Fall 2019-present Ethics (PHIL 140), Indiana University East, Fall 2019-present
Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 100), Indiana University East, Fall 2021-present Topics in Metaphysics (PHIL 320), Indiana University East, Fall 2019-present Seminar II, Program of Liberal Studies, University of Notre Dame, Fall 2017 Ethics (PHIL 20401), University of Notre Dame, 2014-2018
Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 10101), University of Notre Dame, 2013 Religion and Modern Philosophy (PHIL 470), Kenrick-Glennon Seminary,
Spring 2011
Medieval Philosophy (PHIL 312), Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Spring 2011 Natural Theology (PHIL 370), Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Fall 2010 Aesthetics (PHIL 425), Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Spring 2010
Philosophical Anthropology (PHIL 340), Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Spring 2009-2011 Epistemology (PHIL 482), Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Spring 2009-2011
Religion, Philosophy and Modernity (PHIL 430), Spring 2009
Philosophy of Nature (PHIL 330), Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Fall 2008-2010 Metaphysics (PHIL 320), Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Fall 2008-2010
Ancient Philosophy (PHIL 305), Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Fall 2008-2010 Introduction to Ethics (Phil 103), Joliet Junior College, 2002-2007
Introduction to Philosophy (Phil 101), Joliet Junior College, Fall 2002-2007 History of Philosophy (Phil 102), Joliet Junior College, Spring 2002-2007 Logic (Phil 104), Joliet Junior College, Fall 2002-2007
History of Philosophy, Honors Section (Phil 102-H1), Joliet Junior College, Fall 2006 Introduction to Ethics, Interdisciplinary Honors Section, “Bioethics” (Phil 103-H1),
Joliet Junior College, Spring 2006
Introduction to Philosophy, Honors Section (Phil 101-H1), Joliet Junior College, Fall 2005
Action and Value: Ethics (Phil 281) Loyola University Chicago, Summer 2002
Discussion Group Leader, Ethics Across the Curriculum Workshop
(May 27, 2002–June 6, 2002):
Led discussion groups composed of university professors from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico. Provided lecture summaries of deontology, consequentialism, virtue ethics, feminist ethics, business ethics, and social and economic justice; guided group discussions; oversaw project development; taught participants how to construct cases relevant to their discipline.
Knowledge and Reality: Truth (Phil 273), Loyola University Chicago, Spring and Summer, 2001
Knowledge and Reality: Metaphysics (Phil 272), Loyola University Chicago, Fall, 2000
LANGUAGES:
Reading Knowledge: Greek, Latin, French, Italian, German, Spanish
BOOKS:
First Philosophy and Politics: Aristotle’s Concept of Metaphysics (in process).
ARTICLES:
“Teaching and the Active Life According to St. Thomas” in In Praise of Speaking: Reading, Writing, Teaching, Discussing. Catriona Hanley (ed). Baltimore: Apprentice House Press, 2017.
CONFERENCE PAPERS, COLLOQUIA, AND TALKS:
“King James I, Adam Smith, and the Problem of Political Theology.” Liturgy and
Politics in the Middle Ages: An Overlooked Legacy of Ernst H. Kantorowicz. Instytut Historyczny Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Poznán, Poland. July 13-14, 2017.
“Making Live and Letting Die: The Liturgical Movement and the Concept of Law.” For Freedom Set Free. The University of Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, 16th Annual Fall Conference, November 20, 2015.
“Life and Death in the Philosophy of Biology and Medicine.” Bare Life and Moral Life Symposium. Albert Gnaegi Center for Health Care Ethics of Saint Louis University, Madrid, Spain. June 30, 2015.
“St. Thomas Aquinas and Justice.” The Crowning Glory of the Virtues: Exploring the Many Facets of Justice. The University of Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, 13th Annual Fall Conference, November 10, 2012.
“Philosophical Principles of Aesthetics as Applied to Gregorian Chant,” Gregorian Chant, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, March 8, 2011.
“What is Sacred Music?”, Keynote Address, 1st Annual Musica Sacra St. Louis 2011 Conference, February 28, 2011.
“A Brief History of Modernity: From the Syllabus to Humani generis,” St.
Philip Neri Society, St. Louis, MO, October 8, 2010.
“The Philosophical Principles of Aesthetics According to St. Thomas,” Gregorian Chant,
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, March 2, 2010.
“Teaching and the Active Life According to St. Thomas,” In Praise of Speaking:
Reading, Writing, Teaching, Discussing: A Gathering in Honor of Adriaan Peperzak, Loyola College, MD, May 2-3, 2009.
“Metaphysics and Personhood: The Place of Supositalitas and Personalitas in the Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas,” Holy Apostles’s College, March 19, 2009.
“The Concept of Wisdom in Aristotle and St. Thomas,” Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, February 18, 2008.
“The Three Wisdoms in St. Thomas,” Benedictine College, KS, January 28, 2008. “Being and the Good: Plato, Paradox and Metaphysics,” 5th Annual Lewis University
Philosophy Conference, The Second Sailing: Plato for the New Millennium, Lewis
University, Romeoville, Illinois, February 24, 2002.
“St. Augustine’s Refutation of Scepticism in the Contra Academicos,” AGSP Colloquium, Loyola University Chicago, 2000.
HONORS AND AWARDS:
Arthur J. Schmitt Dissertation Fellowship, Loyola University Chicago (2001–2002) Teaching Fellowship, Loyola University Chicago (2000–2001)
Research Assistantship, Center for the Advanced Study of Christianity and Culture, Loyola University Chicago (Spring, 1999)
Research Assistantship, Department of Philosophy, Loyola University Chicago (1996–2000)
Honorable Mention for Best Senior Essay, “The Metaphysical Foundations of Ethics in St. Thomas Aquinas and Kant,” St. John’s College (Spring, 1996)
First Place Award for Best Sophomore Essay, “Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas on Knowledge,” St. John’s College (Spring, 1994)
First Place Award for Best Translation of a Greek Text (Homer’s Illiad), St. John’s College (Fall, 1993)
TRANSLATIONS:
E. Hugon, O.P., “Instrumental Causality in Theology.” Translation, with notes, of La causalité instrumentale in théologie (Paris: Téqui, 1907).
PROFESSIONAL ACADEMIC ACTIVITY:
“How to Effectively Teach Logic to Non-Philosophers” January 2004, Personal and Professional Development Week, Joliet Junior College.
Designed Honors Level Introduction to Ethics and Biology Interdisciplinary Course (2005)
Designed Honors Level Introduction to Philosophy and History of Western Civilization Interdisciplinary Course (2005-2006)
Designed Honors Level Introduction to Philosophy and English 101 and 102 Interdisciplinary Course (2006)
OTHER:
Faculty Advisor, University of Notre Dame Life League Club, 2014 to 2017.
Board Member of SLMVEA (St. Louis Metropolitan Violin Education Association), 2011
Advisor for the Philosophy Club, Joliet Junior College, 2004-2005
Advisor for Students Alive, Joliet Junior College, 2006
President of the Association for Graduate Students in Philosophy, Loyola University Chicago, 2000-2001